Cooler Master has been in the gaming sector with the gaming brand CM Storm for quite a few years now. Therefore the CM Storm Trigger isn't their first keyobard anymore, but it is their first one which makes use of CherryMX key. As a result it's very likely that this thing will be an absolute high-end gaming keyobard. 
On the following pages we will show you the strengths and weaknesses of the CM Storm gaming keyboard.
| Page 1 - Introduction | Page 5 - Back |
| Page 2 - Preview | Page 6 - Software |
| Page 3 - Features | Page 7 - Conclusion |
| Page 4 - Front |
Discuss this article in the forums [pagebreak]
Preview
| Page 1 - Introduction | Page 5 - Back |
| Page 2 - Preview | Page 6 - Software |
| Page 3 - Features | Page 7 - Conclusion |
| Page 4 - Front |
Discuss this article in the forums [pagebreak]
Features
| Page 1 - Introduction | Page 5 - Back |
| Page 2 - Preview | Page 6 - Software |
| Page 3 - Features | Page 7 - Conclusion |
| Page 4 - Front |
Discuss this article in the forums [pagebreak]
Front
Basically CM Storm equipped their Trigger Gaming Keyboard with a standard keybaord layout, which has been extended by five macro keys and two CM Storm keys. Using the CM Storm key you can access additional functions which have been programmed to the F-keys. You can for example activate the backlight of all the individual keys, you can control an MP3 program and you can also control the audio level.
Generally the CM Storm Trigger is a very robust keyboard. On average the Cherry MX Black keys endure 50 million key strokes. Furthermore the keyboard comes with an equally stable chassis which needs to be mishandled in quite a bad way that it takes damage. Furthermore the keys come with a very comfortable and grippy coating. Paired up with the Cherry MX Black keys this keyobard offers a level of comfort you really don't find everywhere.
On the left side of the keyboard one can find the five macro keys. These are positioned in a way that one can reach them with the small finger. After some time it should be possible to reach them blindly.
At the place where
you usually find the Windows keys, there are the special CM Storm keys. These
can be programmed in a way that the Windows key is either activated or
deactivated. If you choose to deactivate the Windows key you wont accidentally
switch task from a game to Windows desktop. On the other hand if you're working
with Windows you might like to make use of the Windows key.
On the face side one can find two USB 2.0 ports, a micro USB port - to connect
the keyobard to the computer - and an additional power plug which is optional to
provide attached, external drives with more power.
| Page 1 - Introduction | Page 5 - Back |
| Page 2 - Preview | Page 6 - Software |
| Page 3 - Features | Page 7 - Conclusion |
| Page 4 - Front |
Discuss this article in the forums [pagebreak]
Back
On the backside the CM Storm Trigger looks as stable and durable as on the front side. Therefore there is a robust plastic cover as well as two hinged rubber feet on four more rubber pads which give the Trigger a very safe and stable stand.
| Page 1 - Introduction | Page 5 - Back |
| Page 2 - Preview | Page 6 - Software |
| Page 3 - Features | Page 7 - Conclusion |
| Page 4 - Front |
Discuss this article in the forums [pagebreak]
Software
As expected the sofware can be installed and configured quickly and easily. For example different keys can be programmed with non standard functions and the application definitely is self-explanatory.
Using the editor macros can be recorded and pauses between pressing keys can be deactivated. Like this it's possible to have macros without any programming knowledge. Furthermore there is also the ability to save different profiles.
| Page 1 - Introduction | Page 5 - Back |
| Page 2 - Preview | Page 6 - Software |
| Page 3 - Features | Page 7 - Conclusion |
| Page 4 - Front |
Discuss this article in the forums [pagebreak]
Conclusion
The CM Storm trigger is a very robust and high quality gaming keyboard which is able to gather a lot of plus point with its Cherry MX Black keys. We also liked the comfortable rubber coating very much. On one hand they deliver good grip and on the other they feel very nice. Furthermore it's also been piece of cake to program the macro keys using the software in the bundle.
Regarding the design the CM Storm comes with a mixture of black matte, grey and red, whereas the keys are black and have a rech backlight. Either practical for gamers or just a goodie is, that you can make only the WASD keys glow in the dark. Furthermore we also liked that the backlight can also be seen clearly an a bright light room.
Thanks to the fact that the CM Storm Trigger comes with a standard format keyboard the usual position of the hands is possible. Combinded with the Cherry MX Black keys as well as the rubber coating of each key, typing is very comfortable. In our opinion this is one of the most comfortable keyboards for typing we've ever had for testing. Special for the Cherry MX Black keys is that they don't have a defined release point. They already react when you push a key half way through.
It seem like CM Storm has spent many hours to optimize the software. In fact the Software is very well structure and therefore it's piece of cake to find the different functions and program your keyboard the way you want it. Furthermore you'll also find quite a few predefined profiles.
The CM Storm Trigger gets very good five out of five stars.
Discuss this article in the forums
| Page 1 - Introduction | Page 5 - Back |
| Page 2 - Preview | Page 6 - Software |
| Page 3 - Features | Page 7 - Conclusion |
| Page 4 - Front |
Author: m.buechel@ocaholic.ch